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Suggest Treatment For Melanoma In Situ
Question: I had a mole shave biopsy in July. It came back severely atypical- recommend excision- check margins. I had it removed in August. It came back melanoma in situ extending slightly peripherally at the 5 o'clock margin. Doctor said I needed more tissue off. I went in for a second consult in a different office. Their dermatopathologist said it was a confluent melanocytic proliferation and that the margins of the first excision were clear. How is there such a difference in opinion? Who should I believe. I got the bigger incision and waiting on results but I'd like to know what I'm dealing with.
Brief Answer:
Melanoma in situ
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
Melanoma in situ is cancer in very early stages, when it still confined to the upper layers of the skin (epidermis). Cancer diagnosed at this early stage also means that it is less likely to recur or spread to other parts of the body than melanomas that are diagnosed at a later stage.
The surgical guidelines for adequate excision are to remove the entire lesion (melanoma in situ) deep up to the subcutaneous fat and with a 0.5 cm margin of normal skin surrounding the lesion. This is then confirmed by a pathologist who examines the removed specimen under the microscope to see if the margins are clear or not. In your case your pathologists have given you 2 different opinions which is confusing. Anyway, I think you still went ahead with the bigger incision which is a wise decision on your part, now just wait for the results, and if the margins come clear, just forget about it!
Regards
Melanoma in situ
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have understood it.
Melanoma in situ is cancer in very early stages, when it still confined to the upper layers of the skin (epidermis). Cancer diagnosed at this early stage also means that it is less likely to recur or spread to other parts of the body than melanomas that are diagnosed at a later stage.
The surgical guidelines for adequate excision are to remove the entire lesion (melanoma in situ) deep up to the subcutaneous fat and with a 0.5 cm margin of normal skin surrounding the lesion. This is then confirmed by a pathologist who examines the removed specimen under the microscope to see if the margins are clear or not. In your case your pathologists have given you 2 different opinions which is confusing. Anyway, I think you still went ahead with the bigger incision which is a wise decision on your part, now just wait for the results, and if the margins come clear, just forget about it!
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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